Friday, October 3, 2014

British aid worker Alan Henning has been beheaded by ISIS in a video posted online by the terror group. 44-year-old Mr Henning was a father-of-two and a taxi driver near Manchester before deciding to do aid work in Syria, He was kidnapped on Boxing Day last year as he delivered aid to Syrian refugees.

Before he is killed, a gaunt and tired looking Mr Henning gives a short forced speech in which he blames his execution on Parliament's decision to launch strikes against Islamic State in Iraq. Mr Henning is heard saying:

'I am Alan Henning. Because of our parliament’s decision to attack the Islamic state I as a member of the British public will now pay the price for that decision.'

His killer, identified so far as Jihadi John who is assumed to be British by his accent, adds;

'The blood of David Haines was on your hands Cameron, Alan Henning will also be slaughtered but his blood is on the hands of the British parliament.'

After the beheading, an American humanitarian worker, Peter Kassig, is shown kneeling in the same position as Mr Henning with a caption showing his name.

The same black clad killer says:

'Obama you have started your aerial bombardment in Sham (Syria) which keeps on striking our people, so it’s only right we continue to strike the necks of your people.'

Alan Henning

Just three days ago, Alan Henning's wife, Barbara had issued a tearful plea to ISIS to spare her husband after a sharia court set up by the group found him not guilty of spying. She said:

'I ask Islamic State please release him, we need him back home. Muslims across the globe continue to question Islamic State over Alan’s fate.
'Their position regarding his situation is unequivocal. He is innocent ... We are at a loss why those leading Islamic State cannot open their hearts and minds to the truth about Alan’s humanitarian motives for going to Syria and why they continue to ignore the verdict of their own justice system'
‘Surely those who wish to be seen as a state will act in a statesmanlike way by showing mercy and providing clemency.’

Both the British and US governments have reacted to the video.

David Cameron said:

‘The brutal murder of Alan Henning by ISIL shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are. ‘My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan’s wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him.

‘Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need. The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these ISIL terrorists.

The White House released a statement condemning the beheading;

"Mr. Henning worked to help improve the lives of the Syrian people and his death is a great loss for them, for his family and the people of the United Kingdom."

"Standing together with our UK friends and allies, we will work to bring the perpetrators of Alan's murder -- as well as the murders of Jim Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines -- to justice. Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, we will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL."